An Inspired Chat with Randolph Summiel II of Washington DC

We recently had the chance to connect with Randolph Summiel II and have shared our conversation below.

Randolph, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Golf has been bringing me joy outside of work lately. It’s peaceful and calming—except the mess ups and losing my golf ball. I like the vibe, the fashion, and just working on my swing. Seeing the progress little by little has been really rewarding, and it’s become a space where I can relax and reset.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Randolph Summiel. I’m an actor, filmmaker, and educator, and I run a creative brand called Blüme Productions built around the idea of ‘show your growth.’ What makes my work unique is how it connects my personal journey with storytelling—whether that’s through film, music, or even children’s books. I’ve been blessed to act in national campaigns like Pepsi and Samsung, and be apart of award winning short film as a writer and actor but what excites me most right now is building projects that inspire growth in others, especially the next generation. From an animated series and a children’s book to a feature film concept I’m developing, my focus is on creating stories that entertain, challenge, and uplift.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that feels like I always have something to prove. It’s like I’ve carried a chip on my shoulder—having to prove to coaches that I was good enough in sports, to friends that I belonged, and to colleagues that my concepts and stories were worth telling. What’s interesting is, when I started working on getting out of that space, I found myself able to truly take up space in any room I’m in—consciously. I could stop dimming my light just to make others feel comfortable. That drive pushed me for a long time, but it’s exhausting to live in that constant fight. I’ve grown to see that my value doesn’t come from proving myself—it comes from being consistent, present, and true to who I am. That mindset served its purpose, but now it’s time to release it and move with peace and confidence.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
It wasn’t one moment — it was a buildup of things that made me realize hiding my pain wasn’t helping. For me, hiding was fear. I was trying to stay in a dark place, keep doing stuff I probably should’ve grown out of, and keep people from knowing parts of me I was ashamed of. That meant I wouldn’t fully face the things that hurt. I was afraid of seeming ‘too much’ when I talked about my wins, and I noticed people sometimes downplayed my accomplishments to make themselves feel better — and that pain made me shell up around them. That’s on me, because why would I keep doing that? Now I try to lean into the shame, fear, and pain and let it shape parts of me I used to think weren’t solid or enough. What broke me down now helps build me up. I stopped hiding my pain when I realized hiding was just fear. Now I let the shame and hurt help shape me instead of shrink me.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is a real part of me, but it’s not the whole me. Sometimes I show up as who I need to be to get the job done. What people see is growth, confidence, and creativity — and that’s true — but behind that there’s also a reflective, quiet, overthinking side. The public me usually carries high energy and laughs, but there’s another layer that only comes out when it needs to. Both sides can show up in the same moment. The thing is, I’ll always show up authentic. I tell people all the time — this is who I am. I’m always being myself, until I learn something new about me, and then I grow.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people might misunderstand my legacy as just being about talent or creativity — the commercials, the acting, the projects. But what I really want it to stand for is growth, resilience, and purpose. Transparency is a big part of that too. I’ve always tried to be open about the struggles, the lessons, and the process — not just the wins. I don’t create just to be seen; I create to connect, to inspire, and to leave something behind that helps the next person believe they can do it too. The art and the work are pieces of it, but the real legacy is the life I lived through it

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Randolphsummiel

Image Credits
IG: @Vfreevisuals

Valencia Free

Headshots: IG: @Dianakphotos